Greater Chennai Corporation Mayor R. Priya told the council that desilting of 1,671 km of stormwater drains was under way at an estimated cost of ₹22.46 crore, in response to a question from MDMK councillor P. Subramani (Ward 139) on monsoon preparedness.
She said ₹10 crore had been allocated at ₹5 lakh per ward for monsoon precautionary works. Another ₹22 crore had been earmarked for patching and resurfacing damaged roads, while ₹26.53 crore had been proposed for hiring 150 100-horsepower pumps and 500 tractor-mounted pumps for low-lying areas.
The Mayor said ₹4.65 crore had been allocated to engage temporary personnel to operate pumps and water tanks. A drone survey costing ₹15 lakh was also being undertaken to verify desilting works and ensure that removed silt and garbage were cleared.
She added that mosquito-control workers had been deployed, adequate quantities of larvicides stocked and fogging carried out in vulnerable areas. Pamphlets on disease prevention during the rainy season would also be distributed, with health inspectors tasked with creating awareness.
